The government has launched a consultation seeking views from BNG stakeholders including developers, planners, ecologists, environmental groups, landscape architects, local authorities and community members on the implementation of BNG for minor, medium and brownfield developments.
The consultation notes that, following the introduction of mandatory BNG requirements for small sites/minor development in April 2024, evidence and growing stakeholder feedback has highlighted particular challenges that minor developments are facing, which the consultation has summarised as;
- increased costs and/or time from additional steps in the planning process.
- increased costs from delivering habitat enhancements where sites may be more constrained so opportunities for onsite BNG may be limited, impacting viability.
- developing knowledge and expertise amongst developers, ecologists and local planning authorities.
The government want to explore opportunities to reduce process burdens of mandatory BNG whilst still delivering measurable gains for nature. Possible options include extending the exemptions, simplifying the small sites metric and increasing ease of access to the off-site market. Some questions give respondents an opportunity to submit further explanations and evidence.
The consultation closing date 24th July 2025. The following links provide further details and access to the consultation;
The government will consider the views raised in the responses and will publish their own response to the consultation indicating which options will be taken forward and information on expected timescales for any changes. In the meantime the BNG requirement remains in place and existing guidance and legislation must be followed.
If you would like to discuss the proposed changes before submitting a response to the consultation please get in touch; enquiries@sprucetownplanning.co.uk, 02380 649697.
